Flow cytometric cell cycle analysis was recorded in gastric biopsy specimens from patients with normal gastric mucosa (GM), superficial gastritis (SG) and chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG). Cell-cycle analysis showed significantly higher percentages of cells in S- and S+G2/M-phase in CAG than in SG and normal GM (P < 0.0001). Moreover, CAG with severe or moderate atrophy showed significantly higher percentages of cells in S-phase (P < 0.05) and S+G2/M-phase (P < 0.02) than CAG with mild atrophy in antrum. In fundus, even if this increase was observed, it did not reach statistical significance. Consideration of concomitant pathologic findings such as oesophagite, gastric or duodenal ulcer, duodenite or benign polyp allowed a better differentiation of CAG both in antrum and in fundus. Significantly higher S-phase was observed in CAG with severe or moderate atrophy than in CAG with mild atrophy (P < 0.05). No statistically significant results were observed in patients with normal gastric mucosa or chronic gastritis and a concomitant pathologic finding.